Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued an "unequivocal" apology following remarks he made about pop star Kylie Minogue during a podcast interview last week.

The prime minister appeared on the Bush Deep podcast hosted by comedian Nikki Osborne. During the roughly 20-minute conversation, Osborne asked him to choose whether he would "shag, marry or date" Minogue, actress Nicole Kidman, or performer Rhonda Burchmore.

After first attempting to sidestep the question, Albanese eventually replied, "Oh, Kylie, clearly."

The response sparked swift criticism, with one member of parliament describing the comment as "entirely inappropriate," while another said it was "disrespectful to women... and demeans the office of prime minister."

Osborne, known for sharing provocative comedy sketches online, launched her podcast earlier this year. Her website portrays her as a "wildly inappropriate journalist" who poses questions others would avoid.

In a brief statement released early Monday, the prime minister said: "I apologise unequivocally for the comments."

The interview was conducted at the prime minister’s official residence in Canberra and was published late last week.

When Osborne initially posed the question, Albanese—who married his partner Jodie Haydon in November—responded: "I've just got married, I'm only six months in."

However, after further prompting, he added: "Oh, Kylie, clearly."

"You'd marry Kylie, and shag her, and date her?" Osborne pressed.

"All of the above," Albanese replied. "She's terrific."

Independent MP Zali Steggall said the comments were "entirely inappropriate," adding that the prime minister "needs to learn to push back, lead by example and call it out as sexist."

Shadow Communications Minister Sarah Henderson wrote that the remarks were "disrespectful to women, embarrassing to Australians and demean the office of Prime Minister."

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, serving as acting prime minister while Albanese visits the Pacific region, told ABC News that the government remains "utterly committed" to advancing women in society.

"From time to time, we participate in different kinds of interviews," Marles said on Radio National Breakfast. "But it’s also important to note that this government is the first in Australia’s history to achieve gender equality in cabinet representation."

During the same podcast, Albanese was also asked about the most unusual gift he had received on an overseas trip. He mentioned that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi once presented him with two melons, which he described as "strange" but ultimately "quite good."

As he recounted the story, Osborne joked about the presentation, prompting Albanese to smile and gesture with his hands in response.